by Abby Bratton | published Oct. 8th, 2019
Photo by Jasmine Lin, illustration by Unique Fair-Smith
A sense of vague unease crawls through your mind as you notice that the reflection in your mirror doesnt match your own face,or when a puppet keeps waltzing evenafter its strings have been cut. Then there's the androidthatsmiles whileits eyes stare unblinking into your own. These images of horror story fodder dont rely on fear of the unknown, but of the almost known. Objects that evoke this reaction are said to fall into the uncanny valley.
Chip Sheffield, a professor of the College of Art and Design and faculty affiliate with the School of Individualized Study who created the course Art and Technology: From the Machine Aesthetic to the Cyborg Age, explained the origins of this term. According to Sheffield, the concept of the uncanny valley is credited to the Japanese roboticist Masahiro Mori.
It really has to do with how we would respond to, say, a robot that had human-like attributes or human-like qualities, and the human-likeness of any given entity, and how humans respond to that entity. [Mori] proposes graphing this on an x- and y-axis, Sheffieldsaid.
Moris graph shows that human familiarity or comfort with something increases as it becomes more human-like, until the object reaches approximately 80 percent similarity to a human. At this point, there is a sharp drop-off in familiaritywhich rises up again as the entity approaches 100 percent human-like characteristics. The resulting shape is a valley.
David Simkins, an associate professor with the School of Interactive Games and Media, explained that the uncanny valley is a statistical average rather than an exact reaction experienced by all humans.
Whenever youre talking about the uncanny valley... youre talking about what people see and how it affects them, Simkins said.
Because people react to perception in different ways, Simkins explained, there's some variation in how the uncanny valley affects individuals. However, the phenomenon usually evokes similar emotions.
When we perceive something to be human-like or human, if something is just a little bit off about it,[then]we start to become really uncomfortable interacting with the thing, or being around the thing even," Simkins said. "Its eerily not right, and that sense of it not being right creates anxiety.
One factor that differentiates this phenomenon from other fear reactions is that its source is not always clear.
The interaction with the uncanny valley happens before people are aware usually of whats wrong. So they can identify that they dont like the face or dont like the thing, but they cant necessarily tell you exactly what it is about it that torques them off. Its deep in their perception, Simkins said.
This inability to pin down exactly what is wrong heightens the sense of unease people experience when confronted with the uncanny. At times, they may not even think to look for the source of their anxiety.
As Sheffield put it, we so rarely question, when were looking at another human face, whether that face is human or not.
"We so rarely question, when were looking at another human face, whether that face is human or not."
Once this phenomenon is understood, it can be intentionally avoided or invoked.
Good artists know how to use,and not unintentionally use,the uncanny valley, Simkins said.
The ways thatartists explore the uncanny valley phenomenon go beyond physical designs, he explained. While the uncanny valley has its roots in visual perception, the same idea of uncanniness can be manipulated in music, mood, storyand character movement.
Sheffield alsospoke about artistic examination of the uncanny, in addition to pointing out that awareness of the uncanny is critical in the fields ofprostheticsand facial recognition.
One of the most popular areas for application of this conceptis in the game industry specifically inhorror games.
[Horror games] are a great place to use eeriness, Simkins continued. You want to make your player feel something is eerie, feel anxious, feel a little out of controland if you can ... trigger some of that anxiety before they even know why theyre anxious.Thats a great tool to use to try and get somebody in the mood to be frightened. Thats much of the trick of a horror game, is getting the player to get on board with being willing to be horrified.
While many uncanny games have been created over the years, Simkins recommends The Sinking City and the Silent Hill series as particularly good examples of this phenomenon.
It is always important to realize that [the uncanny valley] is a sociobiological phenomenon, not just a biological phenomenon, Simkins said.
"Thats a great tool to use to try and get somebody in the mood to be frightened."
Thissocial aspect means that the uncanny valley relies heavily on cultural norms. Sheffield also emphasized this point, saying thatthe divide in eastern and western cultural approaches to robotics results in different levels of associated uncanniness.
Not only does the uncanny valley shift between different societies, butit can shift over time, both on an individual and cultural level.
Theres some pushback on the uncanny valley because its not the only thing operating. For one thing, our perception is all socially based, Simkins explained. So when someone gets used to something, it no longer has that uncanny valley response to it."
In terms of more widespread changes, Simkins gave the example of how technological advancements in computer graphics led to an uncanny valley shift. Images and designs that were an accepted standard in the late 20th century are now often considered uncanny because most people are accustomed to a higher degree of realism.
Simkins suspects that this trend may continue as art becomes increasingly cinema-realistic. He predicts the valley will broaden over time as society grows uncomfortable with designs that arent either highly realistic or intentionally abstract.
Because of its cultural and individual relativity, the uncanny valley is a nebulous concept. Perhaps the best way to understand it is to experience it firsthand. If horror games and robotic realism interest you, maybe its time to take the metaphorical plunge down the slopes of the valley. The comforts of the familiar world will be waiting when you climb back out.
View post:
Charting the Uncanny Valley - Reporter Magazine
- Upload your Real body to a Virtual Avatar ! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Transcendent Consciousness for Transcendent Technologies : Part I - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Transcendent Consciousness for Transcendent Technologies: Part II - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Visions of the Future - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Lessons from the Silver Surfer ! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Playing God in a Video Game ! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- The Rebellious Voyeur in our Society - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Renewable Energy and the New world - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Chennai Science Festival 2008 - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Cyborg Football Time ! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Wont be posting for a while - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Spiritual Transcendence in Transhumanism now published - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Widgetize time ! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- An Inconvenient Truth indeed ! - Google style - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- The latest Cyborg movie ! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Lost in Transcendence : A Tribute to Dr.Albert Hofmann - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Who came first ? - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- How to truly become "BetterHumans" - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- A day in the life of a Transhuman Memestar - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- My Lonely Love - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- The First "body slaves" : how ready are we for the posthuman body ? - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Realizing our humble place in the posthuman civilization ! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Brain controlled devices have come of age ! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Touch and Go - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Cyborg Mystic - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Avatar..a great movie ! - January 31st, 2010 [January 31st, 2010]
- Iron Man 2 and the cyborg technology offshoots - June 11th, 2010 [June 11th, 2010]
- Saving the "Humanism" in Transhumanism - June 13th, 2010 [June 13th, 2010]
- Christina is Bionic - June 22nd, 2010 [June 22nd, 2010]
- My recent article in IEET - October 11th, 2010 [October 11th, 2010]
- REASONS FOR LOVE AND HOPE TO OTHER SPECIES IN THE POSTHUMAN FUTURE - February 14th, 2011 [February 14th, 2011]
- Misleading Perceptions of Improving “The Human Condition” - April 10th, 2011 [April 10th, 2011]
- Jean-Claude Van Damme - CYBORG (1989) Part 1 - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Cris Cyborg Spinning Back Kick KO - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Cris Cyborg Suplexes way to Gold Medal Mundials (BJJ Worlds) 2011 - Video - April 30th, 2012 [April 30th, 2012]
- Cryptic Metal Gear Rising trailer lets you not understand the story right now - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- 009 Re:Cyborg Anime Film's Live-Action Promo Streamed - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- 009 Re:Cyborg's Extended "International Version" Trailer Posted - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Colourblind artist wants to be world’s first cyborg - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Moribito Designer Asou to Draw 009 Re:Cyborg Manga - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- National Geographic announces its Emerging Explorers for 2012 - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Colourblind artist wants cyborg eye in Irish passport - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Week in science faces our cyborg future - May 20th, 2012 [May 20th, 2012]
- Gary Oldman - Gary Oldman Signs Up For Robocop Remake - May 25th, 2012 [May 25th, 2012]
- Gary Oldman joining 'RoboCop' remake - May 25th, 2012 [May 25th, 2012]
- Gary Oldman signs up for Robocop remake - May 26th, 2012 [May 26th, 2012]
- Supertrailer - The best trailers of the week packed into one cinematic video - June 2nd, 2012 [June 2nd, 2012]
- Policemen Undergo Stress Management Seminar - June 3rd, 2012 [June 3rd, 2012]
- Scott Coker Says Cyborg Vs Rousey at 135 Will Happen: Fan Reaction - June 4th, 2012 [June 4th, 2012]
- MMAFighting: Coker vows Cyborg-Rousey fight - June 4th, 2012 [June 4th, 2012]
- Would Ronda Rousey Beat Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos in a Fight? Fan's View - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg: Is the Biggest Fight Strikeforce Can Make - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- Scott Coker on Ronda Rousey vs. Cyborg: "Cyborg Is a Whole Other Level" - June 5th, 2012 [June 5th, 2012]
- Rousey vs. Cyborg in January? 'She Wants My Arm, I Want Her Head': Fan's Look - June 6th, 2012 [June 6th, 2012]
- DIY cyborg appendage is less exciting than it sounds (video) - June 8th, 2012 [June 8th, 2012]
- Robot Chicken goes free range, Seth Green says - June 9th, 2012 [June 9th, 2012]
- Cyborg Fuel Cell Powered by Brain Fluids - June 13th, 2012 [June 13th, 2012]
- Hugh Laurie - Hugh Laurie To Play Robocop Villain - June 13th, 2012 [June 13th, 2012]
- Hugh Laurie set to play villain in Robocop remake - June 13th, 2012 [June 13th, 2012]
- Hugh Laurie is being lined up to star in 'RoboCop' - June 14th, 2012 [June 14th, 2012]
- CFT: Star recruit Henry decommits from Georgia - June 15th, 2012 [June 15th, 2012]
- Cris Cyborg and Sarah Kaufman Mean Mugging on Fight Promo Video: Fan Reaction - June 18th, 2012 [June 18th, 2012]
- Amped Shows the Downside of Becoming a Cyborg - June 18th, 2012 [June 18th, 2012]
- Is that really just a fly? Swarms of cyborg insect drones are the future of military surveillance - June 19th, 2012 [June 19th, 2012]
- Interior-Decorating Androids, Coming to a Living Room Near You - June 19th, 2012 [June 19th, 2012]
- A message for our cyborg drivers - June 23rd, 2012 [June 23rd, 2012]
- Cyborg system stifles your need to drink water - June 24th, 2012 [June 24th, 2012]
- Cyborg makes art using seventh sense - June 30th, 2012 [June 30th, 2012]
- A Surgical Implant for Seeing Colors Through Sound - July 2nd, 2012 [July 2nd, 2012]
- My life as a cyborg - July 2nd, 2012 [July 2nd, 2012]
- Making Location Services Slick & Simple - July 2nd, 2012 [July 2nd, 2012]
- Cyborg Gaming Mouse - July 5th, 2012 [July 5th, 2012]
- Nightwing And Cyborg Join Cast Of Injustice - July 12th, 2012 [July 12th, 2012]
- Nightwing and Cyborg coming to Injustice: Gods Among Us - July 12th, 2012 [July 12th, 2012]
- See Cyborg and Nightwing in 'Injustice: Gods Among Us' - July 12th, 2012 [July 12th, 2012]
- SDCC 2012: Nightwing and Cyborg Join 'Injustice: Gods Among Us' - July 12th, 2012 [July 12th, 2012]
- NEWS: Cyborg and Nightwing Revealed for Injustice: Gods Among Us - July 12th, 2012 [July 12th, 2012]
- 'Injustice' reveals Cyborg and Nightwing - July 13th, 2012 [July 13th, 2012]
- Human Cyborg: McDonald’s Employees Assaulted Me For Wearing My Gear - July 17th, 2012 [July 17th, 2012]
- Do Not Anger the Cyborg, People! - July 17th, 2012 [July 17th, 2012]